The Stream of Everything

by John Connell

‘Quietly triumphant.’ Donal Ryan   ‘Ambitious and gentle.’ Belinda McKeon   ‘A terrific book.’ Michael Harding   In May 2020, John Connell finds himself, like so many others, confined to his local area, the opportunity to freely travel and socialise cut short. His attention turns to the Camlin river – an ever-present source of life for his town’s inhabitants and, for John, a site of boyhood adventure, first love, family history and local legend.   He decides to canoe its course with his friend , Sunday Times journalist Peter Geoghegan, a two-day trip requiring physical exertion and mental resilience. As the world grows still around them, the river continues to teem with life – a symphony of buzzing mayfly and jumping trout. During their meander downstream, John reflects on his life: his travels, his past relationships and his battle with depression, as well as on Irish folklore, geopolitics and philosophy.   The Stream of Everything is both a reverie and a celebration of close observation; a winding, bucolic account of the summer we discovered home.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

Published May 5, 2022

About the author

John Connell's work has been published in Granta's New Irish Writing issue. His memoir, The Farmer's Son, was a #1 bestseller in Ireland. He lives on his family farm, Birchview, in County Longford, Ireland

Reviews

[Susan Cullinane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the way this was written very much. As someone who has recently taken up river swimming the writing had the feeling of being carried along by the river. I enjoyed the musing especially the philosophical ones.

[Peter Thew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two guys - the author and his pal Peter - canoe down the Camlin river in rural Longford. It only takes two days and it's hard to imagine how this would make a book. But in O'Connell's hands, it becomes a spiritual as much as a physical journey. In addition to commenting on the journey and the landscape through which they pass, he flushes out his disappointing episodes in Canada and Australia, allowing himself to realise that they are part of what he has now become. Beautifully written, it's altogether a lovely read.

[Art O'Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't particularly enjoy this book, felt like I was stuck listening to someone drag out a short story for an incredibly long time, always having some aside to mention. That being said, it was well written and there was some interesting information about Ireland sprinkled in.
I just wish the adventure had been a little more of an actual adventure, two days on a calm river doesn't really justify a 260 page book.

[T P Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read. It meanders along - a little like the river itself. I enjoyed the mix of travelog, biography and reflective essay. An ideal book to travel with. Great fun but also elegantly written.

[Deb Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this little book, listened to it which was even more special with the Irish lilt of the author reading it. A simple story, beautifully and compassionately told. We all make meandering journeys and we all need to be kind to ourselves sometimes. Really touched me.

[Sheelagh Mooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, loved the way the author makes the ordinary extrordinary, it is a great gift to be able to find the magic in nature & the local, even more so to be able to recreate that for the reader. Look forward to more from this author in the future

[Jerry Fultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fellow Irishman Bono famously sings that he still hasn’t found what he’s looking for.

Glad John found a big piece of what he’s been looking for. Reconciling the past. Identifying a philosophy of life.

An encouraging read for the soul-sick.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting tale set in lockdown.

[Brian Rothbart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It has a little bit of everything: adventure, history, philosophy, nature, and self reflection. Highly recommend for those that like those kinds of things.

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly wonderful book

[Wendy Marchment · Rating 4 out of 5]

So soothing I listened to it twice.

[Edel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another quiet reflective book from John Connell that was a joy to read.

As always the rural Irish and nature imagery is beautiful! ☘️